Jamaica – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

There was no change to the advisory level.  The “natural disaster” indicator was removed.  The advisory summary was updated.

Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and health risks. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Reconsider travel to:

• St. Ann’s Parish – Steer Town due to risk of crime.
• St. Catherine’s Parish – Central Village, Waterford, March Pen, and Grange Lane due to risk of crime.
• Clarendon Parish – York Town and Western Park due to risk of crime.
• St. Elizabeth’s Parish – Crawford District and New Town due to risk of crime.
• Hanover Parish – The Green Island Area due to risk of crime.
• St. James Parish – Salt Spring, Flankers, Rose Heights, the Hart Street area, Norwood, and Mount Salem due to risk of crime.
• Kingston and St. Andrew Parish – August Town, Brooke Valley, Mountain View, Nannyville Gardens, Swallowfield area, New Haven, the Sherlock Crescent area, Denham Town, Parade Gardens, and Greenwich Town due to risk of crime.
• Manchester Parish – Old England, New Hall, and Grey Ground due to risk of crime.
• St. Thomas Parish – The Seaforth area (Blacksmith Lane and Navarre Lane) due to risk of crime.
• Westmoreland Parish – Grange Hill and Savanna-la-Mar due to risk of crime.

Advisory Summary

U.S. government employee travel restrictions

U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to use public buses or drive between cities at night due to road conditions and safety risks. They are also not allowed to travel to areas with increased safety risks without prior authorization.

• U.S. citizens in Jamaica should take the same precautions.

Crime

• Violent crime is a risk throughout Jamaica. The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere.
• Tourist areas generally see lower rates of violent crime than other parts of the country.
• Armed robberies and sexual assaults are common.
• The U.S. embassy routinely receives reports of sexual assaults, including from U.S. citizen tourists at resorts.
• U.S. citizens report slow or unsatisfactory response to serious criminal incidents.
• When arrests are made, cases are often not prosecuted to a final verdict and sentence.

Health

Basic and specialized medical care may not be available in many parts of Jamaica. This includes slower emergency service response times and less availability of care for illness or injury. Read the Health section of the Travel Guidance on this page for more information.

• Private hospitals require payment up front before admitting patients. They may not be able to provide specialized care.
• Ambulance services are not always staffed with EMTs. They are not always readily available, especially in rural areas.
• U.S. citizens should bring extra prescription medication. Common medications, such as insulin, can be difficult to obtain. Be sure to bring enough of your medications (including prescription and over-the-counter) to last the full duration of your trip.
• U.S. Medicare and Medicaid do not apply abroad.
• Most hospitals and doctors abroad do not accept U.S. health insurance.
• Air ambulance service to the United States costs approximately 30,000 USD as a minimum price.
• We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance and confirm your coverage. Travel insurance should include medical insurance, evacuation assistance, and other trip coverage.
• If you purchase medical travel insurance, you are responsible for seeking reimbursement from your medical insurance. Follow their guidance and instructions for filing claims.
• The Department of State does not pay medical bills.

Risks in specific areas

Level 3 – Reconsider Travel

St. Ann’s Parish – Steer Town

Reconsider travel to St. Ann’s Parish – Steer Town due to risk of crime.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions

• U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to St. Ann’s Parish – Steer Town without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel.

St. Catherine’s Parish – Central Village, Waterford, March Pen, and Grange Lane

Reconsider travel to St. Catherine’s Parish – Central Village, Waterford, March Pen, and Grange Lane due to risk of crime.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions

• U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to St. Catherine’s Parish – Central Village, Waterford, March Pen, and Grange Lane without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel.

Clarendon Parish – York Town and Western Park

Reconsider travel to Clarendon Parish – York Town and Western Park due to risk of crime.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions

• U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to Clarendon Parish – York Town and Western Park without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel.

St. Elizabeth’s Parish – Crawford District and New Town

Reconsider travel to St. Elizabeth’s Parish – Crawford District and New Town due to risk of crime.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions

• U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to St. Elizabeth’s Parish – Crawford District and New Town without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel.

Hanover Parish – The Green Island Area

Reconsider travel to Hanover Parish – The Green Island Area due to risk of crime.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions

• U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to Hanover Parish – The Green Island Area without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel.

St. James Parish – Salt Spring, Flankers, Rose Heights, the Hart Street area, Norwood, and Mount Salem

Reconsider travel to St. James Parish – Salt Spring, Flankers, Rose Heights, the Hart Street area, Norwood, and Mount Salem due to risk of crime.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions

• U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to St. James Parish – Salt Spring, Flankers, Rose Heights, the Hart Street area, Norwood, and Mount Salem without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel.

Kingston and St. Andrew Parish – August Town, Brooke Valley, Mountain View, Nannyville Gardens, Swallowfield area, New Haven, the Sherlock Crescent Area, Denham Town, Parade Gardens, and Greenwich Town

Reconsider travel to Kingston and St. Andrew Parish – August Town, Brooke Valley, Mountain View, Nannyville Gardens, Swallowfield area, New Haven, the Sherlock Crescent Area, Denham Town, Parade Gardens, and Greenwich Town due to risk of crime.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions

• U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to Kingston and St. Andrew Parish – August Town, Brooke Valley, Mountain View, Nannyville Gardens, Swallowfield area, New Haven, the Sherlock Crescent Area, Denham Town, Parade Gardens, and Greenwich Town without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel.

Manchester Parish – Old England, New Hall, and Grey Ground

Reconsider travel to Manchester Parish – Old England, New Hall, and Grey Ground due to risk of crime.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions

• U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to Manchester Parish – Old England, New Hall, and Grey Ground without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel.

St. Thomas Parish – The Seaforth Area (Blacksmith Lane and Navarre Lane)

Reconsider travel to St. Thomas Parish – The Seaforth Area (Blacksmith Lane and Navarre Lane) due to risk of crime.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions

• U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to St. Thomas Parish – The Seaforth Area (Blacksmith Lane and Navarre Lane) without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel.

Westmoreland Parish – Grange Hill and Savanna-la-Mar

Reconsider travel to Westmoreland Parish – Grange Hill and Savanna-la-Mar due to risk of crime.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions

• U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to Westmoreland Parish – Grange Hill and Savanna-la-Mar without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel.

If you decide to travel to Jamaica:

• Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Do not attempt to bring firearms or ammunition. This includes stray rounds, shells, or empty casings. The penalties for carrying firearms or ammunition, even by mistake, are severe, and can include long prison sentences.
• Avoid walking or driving at night.
• Avoid public buses.
• Avoid remote places.
• Stay aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile.
• Have a plan to depart in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
• Review the Country Security Report for Jamaica.
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Jamaica.
• Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist.
• We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.